Chapter 2

I had just set down my teacup, still savoring the image of William's shocked and twisted face, when urgent, angry footsteps suddenly echoed from outside my door.

Finally lost your composure, have you?

"BANG!"

The door was violently slammed open as William stormed in, his face contorted with rage, completely disregarding royal etiquette in the dead of night. Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting shadows on his ashen face, his eyes burning with fury.

"Margaret! Have you lost your mind?" his voice thundered through the room. "I'm your husband! How dare you humiliate me like this?"

I slowly turned to face the man who had tried to kill me three times. Watching his savage features exposed by his loss of control, I felt a cold laugh rise within me.

"My dear husband," my voice was calm as still water, each word like an icicle. "A suspect should cooperate with the investigation. This is to prove your innocence."

"Suspect?" William's eyes bulged. "I'm the military commander of this kingdom! By stripping me of my military authority, you're questioning my loyalty!"

I gently touched the wound on my chest, the mark left by today's assassination attempt. "William, someone wants me dead. As the person closest to me, shouldn't you be more cooperative than anyone else in this investigation?"

His fists clenched tight, veins bulging. "You suspect me! You actually suspect that I would hurt you!"

"I'm not suspecting anyone," I stood up, looking down at him condescendingly. "I'm simply protecting my own life. Is there anything wrong with that?"

William suddenly stepped forward, trying to intimidate me with his height advantage. "Margaret, retract that order! Otherwise, I'll tell all the courtiers about your mad behavior, let them know the Queen has lost her mind!"

Faced with his threat, I didn't retreat a single step.

Instead, I let out a cold laugh.

"Go ahead and try," I lowered my voice, but every word was like a threat. "Who would believe the words of a suspect stripped of military authority now? William, don't you understand?"

I slowly walked toward him, each step like a dagger to his heart.

"Now I'm the one in charge."

William's face instantly turned pale. In that moment, he finally realized that he was no longer facing the naive, sweet queen he could manipulate at will.

"You... you've changed," his voice began to tremble.

"That's right, I've changed," a cold curve played at the corners of my lips. "I'm no longer foolish."

William gritted his teeth, a flash of viciousness in his eyes: "Fine, Margaret, we'll see about this!"

Watching William leave looking utterly defeated, I began preparing for my next move.

That night, I barely slept a wink.

Early the next morning, the palace reception hall was bustling with activity.

I sat regally on the throne, receiving envoys and legal experts from various countries one by one. Each conversation was aimed at securing support for my cause.

"This assassination case concerns the stability of the kingdom," I said to the legal expert from the neighboring country. "We need the most just and transparent investigation."

The legal expert nodded repeatedly. "Your Majesty is wise. A fair investigation is indeed key to stabilizing the political situation."

"Therefore, I'm considering establishing a special tribunal," my gaze swept over everyone present. "We'll invite international legal authorities to participate, ensuring absolute fairness in the investigation."

"This is a wise decision," the envoys all expressed their agreement.

I sneered inwardly: The pieces are falling into place, William. Your countdown to doom has begun.

After the audiences ended, I went to the garden for a walk.

"Your Majesty," a gentle voice came from behind me.

I turned around to see Anne approaching gracefully. Her face wore an expression of concern, but I had already seen through the falseness in her eyes.

"Anne, your timing is perfect," I smiled as I greeted her, while inwardly observing her calmly.

"Your Majesty, you look very tired today," Anne probed cautiously. "This assassination incident... must be very troubling for you, isn't it?"

"Indeed," I sighed deliberately. "Anne, you've been in the palace the longest and know the situation here best. Who do you think... would want my life?"

Anne's eyes flickered for an instant. Though she quickly regained her composure, that moment of panic had already betrayed her.

"I... I don't know either," her voice trembled slightly, her hand unconsciously touching her necklace. "Your Majesty, who do you think... it could be?"

I pretended to be thoughtful, while inwardly I had already confirmed: As expected, even you are one of his people.

"I believe the investigation will give us answers," I gently touched her hand, feeling the sweat in her palm. "Anne, you'll support me, won't you?"

"Of... of course!" she hastily declared, but her eyes still flickered uncertainly.

Watching her retreating figure, a mocking smile curved my lips: William, the quality of your informants really isn't very good.

After returning to my chambers, I dealt with some correspondence until evening fell. Despite the day's fatigue, I found myself restless and unable to sleep. I went to the tower window and saw a figure pacing anxiously in the courtyard below.

It was William.

He paced back and forth in the yard like a caged beast, sometimes stopping to look up at my room, sometimes bowing his head in deep thought.

That anxious, restless appearance gave me an unprecedented sense of pleasure.

Looking out the window again, William's figure had disappeared, but I knew he was destined to have a sleepless night.

I turned and walked to my desk, beginning to plan the next move in my game.

"William, do you think losing your military authority is the worst outcome? Wait until you see the 'evidence' I've prepared—about your secrets with Anne, about everything you've plotted—then you'll know what despair truly means."